AN AMBITIOUS 230-mile challenge, which will see rowing clubs battle unfamiliar waters and potentially tough conditions as they travel the length of the Welsh coast, reaches Pembrokeshire later this week.

The Cob to Cardiff Challenge will see a Celtic longboat rowed from Porthmadog to Cardiff in 12 days, with local rowing clubs joining in along the way.

The boat will reach Pembrokeshire on Friday, September 4, when it stops in Fishguard, before travelling onto to St Davids (Whitesands Bay) on Saturday, to Dale on Sunday, to Tenby on Monday, then onto Mumbles the following day.

The flotilla of Celtic longboats will reach Cardiff on Friday, September 11, before taking part in the Ar Waith Ar Daith (AWAD) finale event in Cardiff Bay on Saturday, September 12.

With more than 700 participants from all over Wales, AWAD is a celebration of Wales’ rich cultural heritage and history, with processions, dance, storytelling, music and more.

Local rowing clubs taking part are Neyland, Llangwm and Wiseman’s Bridge.